Stuttgart: UFEA Nations League of 2020 has just started with a bang. As two heavyweights came face to face on the first round in a closed door stadium at Stuttgart, Germany. This was the first international match after the Covid 19 crisis. Former World Champion Germany hosted the match against another former world champion Spain in Stuttgart. A Werner goal gave German’s the lead but a late equalizer by Jose Gàya settled the matter one each the two European heavyweights.
The match started on a different note. Lot of miss passes by the both side and missed opportunities by the forwards made it frustrating for the viewers and the support staffs of both the sides. The easiest chance was missed by Spanish forward Rodgrigo, Emre Can’s back pass made an open opportunity for the Spanish striker but unfortunately he missed it.
⏱️ 90+6
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2020) September 3, 2020
🇪🇸 José Gayà#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/EIV0LnoHJi
Germans with a competitively new backline was struggling to influence the team in the whole match. Even the German Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp looked less confident under the bar, as some nervous passes led to Spanish counter attack. In the first half Leroy Sane created an opportunity just to be saved by the Spanish goalie David De Gea. In the second half around 51 minute mark, German talisman Timo Werner shined at his hometown. He scored the goal and made a statement that why he can be the future big thing at the Premier League. Spain on the other hand has changed their style of play. They play more of direct football under Luis Enrique. They looked strong on the counter attacks which wasn’t the game Spain used to play before. Even debutants like Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati made a statement that big things are on the way for the Spanish side. Torres looked sublime through the wing as he gave Emre Can nightmares in the first half.
The Spanish goal came in the last minute of the added time. Left back Jose Gaya tapped in a header from Sergio Ramos, thus settling the matter for the former World Champions. But one man who stood out for Spain was their Goalkeeper David De Gea. He was heavily criticized for his mistakes last season, but a keeper of De Gea’s standard knows how to come back. He saved three to four genuine goals, thus making him the Man of the Match. This will make him confident before the start of the new Campaign.
After the match German manager Low was clear about his feelings, “The players are not yet in any competition rhythm as they will be in a few weeks from now so mistakes were to be expected.” On other hand Spanish captain Sergio Ramos was happy with the late come back, he stated “We fought, stayed focused and as a first test the team did it good,” he added more to this by stating, “We remained concentrated and kept up the pressure and we were rewarded in the end.”
Germans to play Switzerland next away from home, whereas Spain to host Ukraine in their next match.
